should we register?

so, mins and i have been together for 5 years - our anniversary is in 5 days. i'm feeling really torn about it because this is an anniversary that gets celebrated in hetero-world, yet we don't really have a way to embrace the meaning of this relationship... especially not in a publicly-accepted way.

i'm thinking we should just go for it and "register" - as if we're getting "married"... and we should have a "shower"... because, even though we cannot literally marry - why shouldn't we reap the benefits all of the heteros around us have and do??!  i don't mean for this to sound really petty and immature - like all i care about is stuff - but at the same time, it blows to have to attend shower after shower - whether for weddings or babies - and know you're not going to be included.

so, i'm thinking, just for fun, that we should register! we should put together little invites - have us a nice little reception somewhere, and send out those cute little cards saying "the happy couple is registered at Target!" or "check out our registry at Macy's"... why not, right? it's a crapshoot either way - but still, it'd be a fun social experiment just to see how we are embraced (or not). and it might educate a few people on what it's really like to be gay and have absolutely zero recognition of your relationship.

with referendum 71 on the ballot here in washington (it'll essentially protect rights already given to heterosexual life partners over 65, and gay partnerships, too... if, that is, it passes. if it doesn't, the rights will go away) - it's more important than ever that gay relationships (positive long-term ones, especially, as those buck the right-wing conspiracy theorists off their high horses) get recognition in the public sphere. we're heading to port townsend to celebrate this big milestone - however, we're making a detour in olympia so we can officially file our domestic partnership paperwork. it's a big step, and one that we've been putting off because we don't want to "settle" for less than what our peers & friends & family all have - marriage. so, now i'm thinking.... screw convention, let's make our own definition of what marriage is and can be.

and bring on the presents, suckas! we need some new pots & pans. ;)